Jesus is Really Human

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 Jesus Made Fully Human

 14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them,[k] fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

 In chapter 2, the author focuses on the humanity of Christ. The chapter goes on to tell the Hebrews why it was so important for Jesus to take on flesh and blood.  Jesus being fully human and still fully God is what differentiates Christianity from every other religion.  Why is Jesus becoming human so important to us? 

 First, by being human he faced death.  Jesus' death broke the power of the devil who held the power of death.  As we say in our liturgy, "Jesus defeated sin, death and the power of the devil".  Because Jesus defeated death we don't have to live our lives in a constant fear of death.  Though we will all die because Jesus conquered death we will too. 

 Next, by being human Jesus was tempted and he suffered.  Even though he suffered and was tempted he persevered and remained the sinless Son of God.  Because he was tempted Jesus knows what it is like to be human. He can relate to our in our own trials and temptations.  There is nothing that we will go through that Jesus hasn't undergone.  He was tempted in every way and made perfect through suffering. We too mature through withstanding trials and tempations with Jesus' help.   

 Finally, because he was sinless he could die for our sins. If he had sinned, he would have had to die for his own sins.  But as a merciful and faithful high priest he made atonement for us.  The word "atonement" means "at one with God".  Jesus brought into full relationship with God. 
   
What does this mean for us? Jesus knows what you and I go through.  He is not far from any of us.  That is why we can go to him in prayer and he himself intercedes for us before the throne of God.  Jesus is your friend.  Go to him when you need him and rely on what he has done for you to set you free.  

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